MISENHEIMER, N.C. – A controversial goal scored in the 81st minute of play by Belmont Abbey’s Nicole Voets (Chatsworth, CA) led the Crusaders to a 1-0 victory over Pfeiffer University in Conference Carolinas women’s soccer action on Saturday afternoon. Pfeiffer was whistled for the questionable foul just outside the top of the 18-yard box as Voets converted the free kick for the match’s only tally. Belmont Abbey improves to 1-2 overall, 1-0 in league play while the Lady Falcons remain winless at 0-3, 0-1.

A back-and-forth contest continued throughout the second half as both teams went under 10 minutes to play with clean sheets before a possible overtime situation. Both teams struggled to get off quality scoring chances all afternoon as both defenses stood tall before Voets converted on her free opportunity with 9:57 left in the contest.

In the first 45 minutes, a majority of the action took place in the midfield area as Belmont Abbey held a 5-4 advantage in shots while both teams each put two on net. Neither team had a solid scoring chance in the first half as the Crusaders took all five penalty kicks, three in a 60 second span.

Overall, the Crusaders held an 8-5 overall shots margin, 4-3 on goal. Belmont Abbey took four more corners in the second for a total of nine while the Lady Falcons didn’t get a single attempt. Jamie Alcala (Fredericksburg, VA) made three saves for Pfeiffer as did Hannah Kohls (Cincinnati, OH) in net for Belmont Abbey.

The Lady Falcons are back in action on Monday hosting Lenoir-Rhyne at 4:00 p.m. Monday’s game makes up the rained out contest from last Tuesday due to the remains of Tropical Storm Lee. Live stats will be available through http://www.gofalconsports.com.